Spiritual Self Care
" Never stop exploring"
Hi Friend!
What is spiritual self-care? Spiritual self-care is tending to the part of yourself that wants and needs to CONNECT and find meaning in something greater than yourself.
Another aspect, which you might call “energetic self-care” is managing your subtle energy field or aura so you are not carrying around other people’s energy and your chakras are balanced.
Because everyone’s spiritual path is different, everyone’s practice is going to be different. But spirituality is as old as humanity itself, and there are a lot of commonalities in how we CONNECT. So here are some general practical tips about how you can nurture your spiritual CONNECTION.
1. Simply slow down and be present throughout your day.
There is an ancient Zen saying that goes, “Before enlightenment, chop wood, carry water. After enlightenment, chop wood, carry water.” (You can substitute modern chores like “wash dishes, make dinner”). The point is that spiritual awareness isn’t about your actions. It’s about how you experience those actions.
Spiritual practices help train your mind to be present and appreciate the wonder of existence. As your practice deepens, this presence and appreciation extend to your entire life.
2. Devote your everyday spaces to the sacred.
Spirituality is an awareness of the sacred, and ultimately everything is sacred–if you choose to perceive it that way.
Your bed can be an altar to nurturing your body & your relationship. Your office can be a sacred space devoted to meaningful work and contribution. Your home can be a retreat that nourishes you, or a place that welcomes weary travelers.
Accomplishing this is about mindfully decorating and arranging your spaces so they remind you of the sacred purpose you have dedicated them to.
3. Make a reading nook stocked with spiritual books.
I don’t know about you, but reading my favorite spiritual books is one of the quickest ways for me to shift into a mindset of connection, gratitude, and devotion. A few of my favorite are:
Radical Acceptance by Tara Brach
Lighter by Yung Pueblo
Untamed by Glennon Doyle
I’ve Been Thinking by Maria Shriver
Build the Life You Want by Oprah Winfrey
Agnostic by Lesley Hazelton
4. Make a standing date with nature.
There is nothing more powerfully resetting to our spiritual CONNECTION than time spent in nature. And the best way to have this in your life is to make it a regular date.
This might mean walking through the park every day on your way home from work, or going backpacking one weekend a month. It’s really up to you, and starting small will make you more likely to maintain it.
It could just mean stepping out onto your balcony every morning to take in a fresh breathe of air and greet the day.
5. Regularly attend to your energetic boundaries.
If you are sensitive, you are likely picking up other people’s energy as you go through your day. If you are an empath, it’s likely much worse and you can lose your sense of where you end and others begin.
This can leave you feeling drained, irritated, overwhelmed, and having intense emotions that you can’t resolve (because they are not yours).
To regularly attend to your energetic boundaries, follow these practices:
Develop self-awareness: Understand your own energy by practicing mindfulness, journaling, and meditation. This helps you recognize when your boundaries are being tested or breached.
Engage in nourishing activities: Prioritize self-care routines, hobbies, and self-love to maintain a strong sense of self. This helps you stay grounded and resilient.
Regularly check-in: Periodically reassess your boundaries and adjust them as needed. Be mindful of energy leaks or signs of boundary violations.
Visualize your energetic boundary: Imagine a circle of light around you (about 2-3 feet in all directions) and declare it as your personal, energetic space. This helps you maintain a clear sense of self and sets boundaries with others.
Practice Me/Not-Me: Regularly declare your Me/Not-Me by visualizing your energetic boundary and acknowledging what’s yours and what’s not. This helps you maintain a strong sense of identity and prevents emotional takeover from others.
Whatever you choose to do, make it a practice
Like any form of self-care, spiritual self-care only works if you do it regularly. One way to help yourself do that is to set up reminders. Put them anywhere you will see them–in your calendar, a post-it on your bathroom mirror, a note on the fridge or on your car dashboard. Simple phrases can be best, like:
Tune in
Slow down
Go to sacred space
What can you do for your spiritual self care today?
XO Jenna
